Small Church Conference Announced

Download the brochure/registration form

The Commission on Diocesan Missions announces the annual Small Church Conference. The conference will be held on Saturday, November 14, 2009, at St. Mary’s By-the Sea, Coden, AL. The Rev. George Rigall, St. Paul’s Chapel, Magnolia Springs, AL. will give a presentation on his experiences in a small congregation. His session will concentrate on the care and work of small congregations, as well as some of the differences between small congregations and large congregations. Mr. Jim Bolter, St. Andrew’s, Mobile, AL, will give a presentation titled “Stewardship in the Small Church in Today’s Economy”.  Mr. Bolter is a recent member of the Commission on Planned Giving/Stewardship. Also joining us will be Vanesa Riutta, the new Coordinator for Youth Ministries for the Diocese who will share information about plans for the youth activities around the Diocese.

The whole conference will give participants a chance to share information, concerns, celebrations, and the joy of sharing the Good News of God’s Love.

The Commission on Diocesan Missions works all year on plans for the Small Church Conference and the First Timers Orientation Meeting at the Diocesan Convention. The Commission hopes that the information presented is helpful in continuing the work of small congregations in the Diocese. The Commission meets several times a year and often invites members of small congregations to attend the meetings to share their concerns and celebrations. It is from these informal visits that some of the ideas for the Small Church Conference and the First Timers meeting are identified.  The Commission has also decided to try to give more congregations a voice and will be sending out a short questionnaire to help determine future topics of interest and areas where the Commission might offer help to the find solutions to some of the unique concerns of small congregations.

The conference will begin with registration at 9:00 a.m. followed by Morning Prayer and then the presentations. Lunch will be served and the conference will conclude with the popular Round Table sharing time. Please make plans to attend the conference and to help celebrate the completion of the Diocese’s newest church building.  St. Mary’s recently completed rebuilding after Hurricane Katrina destroyed the old church. Registrations forms will be mailed soon and there will be online registration. Please register early to help the Commission and St. Mary’s complete plans for the conference.

Directions to St. Mary’s, Coden

If you need to call the church on the day of the conference, please call (251) 753-9188.

Submitted by Lynn Ferren, Chair

Diocesan Missions